Brief Primer About Teas

If we do not carry the type of tea product you would like please contact us and we will be happy to work with you to find just the right tea or tea blend from our network of suppliers.

White Teas

White tea is the purest and least processed of all teas. The tea leaves are picked early in their development before they have developed substantial levels of chlorophyl. Next to matcha, it has the highest antioxidant properties of all teas. This loose leaf tea brews a light color and flavor.

Oolong Teas

Oolong tea, also known as wu long tea, is full-bodied with a flavorful fragrance and sweet aroma. Most people commonly recognize oolong tea as the variety of tea served in Chinese restaurants. Oolongs have a good level of antioxidant properties and tend to be fairly high in caffeine content. They are frequently mixed with floral, herbal or fruit components to give full bodied teas.

Black Teas

Black tea is the tea most people know since you likely grew up dipping tea bags of black tea in your cup (or enjoyed this tea from an iced tea pitcher in the South). It has moderate antioxidant levels and generally a high level of caffeine. Like oolong tea, black tea is frequently used as the base tea in very popular energizing tea blends.

Jasmine Teas

These are fine teas blended with dried aromatic jasmine flower. These teas are frequently found in Asian restaurants and make a delightful accompaniment to rich and savory foods. These teas can also be blended with other herbs, spices and botanicals to give a complex and relaxing tea blend.

Rooibos Teas

Rooibos tea, or red tea, is made from a South African red bush. It is useful in appetite management as it tends to reduce food cravings. It is frequently used as a caffeine free substitute for coffee. Rooibos teas can be delicious hot or iced.

Blooming Teas

These are also called artisan or flowering teas. These teas actually ‘bloom’ as they steep and create a beautiful and flavorful bouquet in the steeping vessel. They are hand tied by tea artists and often include some type of flavor or scent along with the beautiful design. These romantic teas make a great gift for your significant other!

Matcha

Matcha is made by carefully drying green tea leaves then pulverizing them into a fine powder. Match is prepared by mixing the pulverized whole tea leaf into water, milk, almond/soy milk as a hot or cold beverage. Because you are taking in the whole leaf, you get the full benefit of tea – from excellent antioxidants and phytochemicals to amino-acids and a sustained invigorating dose of caffeine. Matcha is also excellent as an additive to fruit or vegetable smoothies or in soup. Matcha is a true power food and because it helps increase metabolic efficiency it is often used to help build muscle and loose weight.

Tea Blends

Tea blends often have the best of both worlds since they combine more than one type of premium tea. Mixing teas in a blend is one of the best ways to get great flavor. Shop our Signature Tea Blends or work with our tea experts make your own personal and special occasion blends!

Herbal Botanical Teas

Herbal Botanical Teas do not contain any leaves from the camellia plant family. These are sometimes referred to as a tisane. Herbal Botanical Teas can be broken into three categories: rooibos teas, mate teas, and herbal botanical infusions. Herbal infusions consist of pure herbs, flowers, and fruits and natural essences. They are delicious hot or iced. Many of our Herbal Botanical Teas provide healthful benefits to enhance your life.